New Delhi, Feb 17 (NationPress) As vibrant and innovation-focused democracies, India and Ireland possess significant opportunities to work together in the realms of quantum communications, artificial intelligence, regulatory innovation, and rural broadband services, stated Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday.

During a bilateral discussion with Irish Minister Jack Chambers in New Delhi, Scindia expressed eagerness for Ireland’s backing of India’s bid at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

“We can build a resilient and future-ready digital alliance together,” the minister remarked.

This meeting aimed at enhancing collaboration in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, emerging technologies, and regulatory frameworks, reaffirming the robust and friendly relationship shared by both nations.

An official statement revealed that both parties recognized the strong synergies between India’s extensive capabilities and rapid deployment abilities, and Ireland’s research-oriented innovation ecosystem and EU-compliant regulatory framework.

The discussion highlighted the potential for structured cooperation between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Ireland’s Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), bolstered by contributions from academia, startups, and industry players.

Scindia informed the Irish representatives about India’s ICT transformation journey since 2014.

He pointed out that India represents one of the largest digital ecosystems globally, boasting more than 1.23 billion telecom subscribers and nearly a billion internet users. The coverage of 5G extends to around 99.9% of districts, with data tariffs averaging approximately USD 0.10 per GB, ensuring accessibility and affordability of connectivity.

The minister underscored the availability of low-cost voice and data tariffs, which rank among the most affordable worldwide, and highlighted India’s achievements in establishing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

He specifically mentioned the transformative effects of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has emerged as a global model for interoperable digital payments, along with the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, which facilitates direct government fund transfers into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, enhancing both transparency and efficiency.

Minister Chambers shared insights regarding Ireland’s National Broadband Plan, indicating that it provides valuable lessons for achieving universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity, especially in rural and remote regions.

He also recognized the significant role of the Indian community in driving the Irish economy, fostering innovation, and job creation. The Irish minister mentioned Ireland’s multi-billion-euro fibre rollout initiative nationwide and noted the robust and expanding trade relations between India and Ireland, which constitute a significant portion of India’s trade with the European Union.

Both parties emphasized the necessity of close collaboration within the ITU framework and the exchange of best practices across regulatory and technological domains.